Notebook: Gruenebaum Healing, Lampson Progressing And More

By: Adam Jardy

The Columbus Dispatch - July 18, 2013 01:34 PM

Two weeks of rest and rehab might not be enough to put Andy Gruenebaum back in the Crew’s
starting lineup this weekend.

After starting the first 18 games of the season, Gruenebaum was a late scratch in the Crew’s 1-0
win against Portland on July 7 after injuring his left shoulder in the team’s game at Los Angeles
three days earlier. Today, after a sweltering training session at Crew Stadium, Gruenebaum listed
himself as questionable for Saturday’s home game against New England.

“Hopefully I’ll know more (Friday),” Gruenebaum said with an ice wrap on the injured shoulder. “
Hopefully it feels good (Friday) and then I can go Saturday. If not, we have confidence in Matt
(Lampson) that he can do the job.”

Lampson posted his first career shutout in the spot start against the Timbers when Gruenebaum
was scratched an hour before kickoff. He has since started two reserve league games and the Crew’s
international friendly against Wigan last Saturday as Gruenebaum has continued to rest.

In other words, the Crew’s week away from MLS play has been no breather for Lampson, who said he
has not played four games in 10 days since his days playing on U-12 or U-13 teams.

“Those games were also 60 minutes long,” Lampson said with a laugh. “I’m trying to do as best I
can and stay mentally focused and sharp. I’m taking it easy with training today.”

Head coach Robert Warzycha said Gruenebaum tested the shoulder during today’s training session
and responded well.

“He played today and he was fine,” the coach said, adding that he expects to have Gruenebaum
available against New England.

Gruenebaum said the injury is to his AC joint and that it came when he punched away a cross and
landed on the shoulder. He finished out the game, a 2-1 controversial loss to the Galaxy. Since
then, his days have been filled with “a lot of rehab, icing, (everything). Just nonstop treatment
and then starting to do strengthening stuff every couple of days.”

Lampson, meanwhile, started July 10 against the Dayton Dutch Lions in reserve league play, July
13 against Wigan and Wednesday at Chicago again in reserve league action. Since starting the
Portland game, Lampson has played all but 30 minutes in the team’s last four games.

“In terms of my workout regimen, because I typically want to go once a day, I’m trying to tone
that down so I stay a little bit more well-rested,” Lampson said. “Other than that it’s been a game
every other day, so I haven’t had time to rest. Even with the days following the games, this is one
of those days you come out to training. I’m just trying to stay as positive and as sharp as
possible.”

Gruenebaum said Lampson’s appearances show the coaching staff’s belief in his abilities.

“We have confidence in him, otherwise I think there would have been more of a panic for me to
push through and try and play,” Gruenebaum said. “There’s not that. There’s a reason for that. If
Matt gets the call, he’ll do fine.”

Noteworthy-Warzycha said designated player Federico Higuain sat out the Wigan game due to an assortment
of minor injuries, but he will be available Saturday.

-Warzycha confirmed that Vinny Weijl is a trialist with the club. The 22-year-old native of the
Netherlands most recently played for SC Cambuur of the Dutch second division.

-Agustin Viana played 70 minutes in yesterday’s reserve game against the Fire and is on track to
see his first first-team action since injuring his hamstring April 27.

Asked if Viana could go 90 against the Revolution, Warzycha said, “We’ll see (Friday). The
reserve game was good for him because we put him over there and the result is the secondary thing.
He was in game situations and could get fit.”

Viana began the year as a defensive midfielder but was injured in his first start at left back.
I asked Warzycha what position Viana would play, and he said, “I’m looking for him to get match-fit
and then we’ll see.”

-Ryan Finley could be in the game-day 18 against New England, but Aaron Schoenfeld and Dominic
Oduro remain Warzycha’s top two options at forward for now.

-Defender Eric Gehrig is expected to miss two to three weeks with an ankle injury.